Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In Or Out? India A Predicted Playing XI Vs Afghanistan, Match 2- Tri Series 2026

India A predicted XI Vs AFG A [Source: AFP]

After a nail-biting victory over Sri Lanka A in the tri-nation series opener, India A will be up against the Afghanistan side as the two teams will collide in a riveting battle. The Indian side narrowly escaped against Sri Lanka, and despite a poor bowling performance at the start, the team held their nerves to snatch a win.

The Indian batters, too, struggled in the series opener before Ruturaj Gaikwad rescued the side with a brilliant hundred. The Men in Blue will be eager to put on a better show against the Afghans, and after a mot so convincing performance against the Lankan Lions, India could make a couple of tweaks in the lineup.

In this article, we take a look at India A’s strongest XI for the tri-nation match number 2 against the Afghanistan A side.

India A Playing XI vs Afghanistan A, Tri-Series 2026

Openers and top order: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya

For the openers in India’s playing XI Vs Afghanistan A, the players are locked in as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prabhsimran Singh will continue. Both players flopped against Sri Lanka A in the tri-series opener, and they’ll be eager to score runs against the Afghans.

All eyes will once again be on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who couldn’t make it big in the last game, and will be eager to silence his critics as he takes on the Afghanistan team.

Normally an opener, Priyansh Arya was demoted to number 3 in India’s playing XI against Sri Lanka A. He looked solid before a disastrous run-out took place. The left-handed explosive batter will continue to bat at number 3 in India’s XI for the tri-series match against Afghanistan A.

Middle order and all-rounders: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma(c), Ayush Badoni, Anukul Roy, Suryansh Shedge

Team India is unlikely to change their winning combination from the last game, unless someone gets an India senior call-up. Centurion from the last game, Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat at number 4, and he’ll be the glue that holds the Indian lineup against Afghanistan A.

Tilak Varma, who struggled in the last game will bat at number 5, and he’ll be followed by the reliable finisher, Ayush Badoni, who starred for India A in the last match against Sri Lanka.

Also Read: "Biggest Victim Of BCCI": Ruturaj Gaikwad Finds Fans' Support After India ODI Snub

Apart from Badoni, Anukul Roy, and Suryansh Shedge will share the finishing responsibilities in the India A vs Afghanistan A clash.

Bowlers: Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan, Vipraj Nigam

The India A bowlers were key to the team’s win in the tri-nation match against Sri Lanka A. Just like the previous match, Anshul Kamboj would be the leader of the pace attack. With the new ball, Kamboj will be tasked to get rid off the Afghanistan batters.

Arshad Khan, the left-arm pacer, also starred with the ball as he scalped 2 wickets in the India A Vs Sri Lanka A clash. The pacer can be effective inside the first 10 overs, and the captain can also use him in the death overs against the Afghans.

Vipraj Nigam will also get a chance in India's playing XI Vs Afghanistan A as the two sides lock horns on Thursday.

India A strongest XI Vs Afghanistan A: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma(c), Ayush Badoni, Anukul Roy, Suryansh Shedge, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan, Vipraj Nigam

Also Read: India Pakistan Handshake Drama Erupts Again At Jay Shah's ICC Function